Prosecco Cocktail Recipes for National Prosecco Day

It is National Prosecco Day on Tuesday, 13th August so let’s celebrate with some of these delicious Prosecco Cocktails Recipes.

Just arriving back from a wonderful holiday in Tuscany seems to be a perfect opportunity to focus on the famous Italian sparkling wine. Our May post explores the difference between Champagne and English Sparkling Wine. For August we will focus on Prosecco?

How does Prosecco differ from Champagne?

There are strict rules governing what allows a sparkling wine to qualify as champagne. Firstly, it must be grown in the Champagne region of France. Secondly, it must be made with a mixture of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Read our May post to find out more. Prosecco comes from Northeastern italy. Its principal grape is the region’s primary grape variety, Glera. However, up to 15 percent of other varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio or some less-familiar native grapes can also be added.

Typically Prosecco is lighter than champagne with a fruitier more flowery bouquet and it is also quite a bit cheaper. This is partly due to the methods it is made by. Only a small proportion of Prosecco makers use the traditional Methode Champenoise or Metodo Classico as it is known Italy. The most common method of producing Prosecco is the Charmat (or Italian) Method. Using this method the winemaker puts still wine into pressurised stainless-steel tanks, along with yeast and sugar, which stimulates the production of bubbles of carbon dioxide in the wine. When the wine reaches the desired alcohol level, the winemaker cools it, filters it and removes the yeast. Some of the sugar is left to give a little sweetness. Finally, the Prosecco is bottled under pressure, to ensure that it keeps its bubbles.

We love Prosecco on its own as an aperitif. One of the benefits of its lightness and relatively low cost means it is also the perfect addition to some of our favourite cocktails. Here are a few recipes to try in honour of National Prosecco Day

Prosecco Cocktail Recipes.

Aperol Spritz – One of the most fashionable drinks of the last few years an Aperol Spritz is perfect for a summer evening

Fill a wine glass with ice and mix equal parts of Aperol and Prosecco. Add a dash of soda and garnish with an orange slice.

Pink and tonic – With subtle flavours of raspberries and strawberries this new Gordons Gin makes a great cocktail base.

Pour 50ml Gordons Pink Gin into a wine glass. Add plenty of ice, 50ml of lemonade and 25ml of Prosecco.

Elderflower Spritz – A new cocktail for this summer. The addition of soda is really refreshing.

Mix about one inch of Elderflower liqueur with about the same amount of Prosecco. Top it with soda water and garnish with a raspberry.

Spagliato – A relation of the negroni.

Mix four parts prosecco, one part sweet vermouth (such as Martini Bianco) and one part Campari. Serve with a twist of orange zest.

Prosecco French 77– For a spin on this classic, pour one part elderflower cordial, one part lemon juice and one part gin into a
cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and then strain into a tall glass. Top with prosecco and serve with a twist of lemon and a couple of mint leaves.

My daughter is currently in Bratislava where she is drinking a wonderful sounding cocktail, the Kiki de Montparnasse. Mix Prosecco with violet liqueur and soda then add lots of ice. I’m not sure about the exact proportions for this one but it will be fun to work them out when we try it.